In Novo mesto, the year 2017 will be characterised by amber, one of the treasures of the town’s archaeological heritage. This heritage deserves a special place in Novo mesto’s identity, since it puts this Slovenian town on the world map of central Iron Age archaeological sites. Every year, archaeologists excavate new evidence of the important role Novo mesto had even in the prehistoric era. In those times, amber jewellery was a status symbol, which was merely available to the rich and distinguished individuals through the Amber Road.

Amber is the fossilised resin of conifer trees, which has from prehistoric times represented a magical, protective and healing substance. The largest and most important deposits of amber are located in the Baltic area, from where thousands of years ago began their collection and transportation due south. The Amber Road is the name of the corridor which allowed for the transfer of this magical, orange-yellow substance to the buyers along the Adriatic Sea and beyond – the Mediterranean. The prehistoric path travelled through Dolenjska and Novo mesto as well, which at the time represented one of the centres of Europe, and where an abundance of amber products has been preserved.

It was in San Marino, last year, when Novo mesto assumed the organization of International Archaeological Congress about amber and Amber Roads in Europe as well as the Conference of Towns on the Amber Road. The two events will be accompanied by three special exhibitions and many tourist activities, and a number of other events in our town will also be coloured amber red. The main events will take place between 20th and 22nd April 2017.

About the Conference

The Conference of Towns on the Amber Road is designed to connect the towns that lie between the Baltic and the Adriatic and through which amber was transported from prehistory to the early Middle Ages. The objective of this meeting is to connect both economy and tourism between the towns of northern and southern Europe, with the emphasis on connecting cultural and industrial tourism.

The focus of the conference is to relate three main areas: archaeology/cultural heritage, industry/craft and tourism. The purpose of the conference is to establish the way how to build a bridge between cultural heritage and industry/craft and how to successfully develop industrial tourism. Keynote speakers from several European countries will present the best practices of connecting the specified areas.

Program of the Conference of Towns on the Amber Road: “Tourism at the crossroads of archaeology and industry”

Chaired by the Deputy Mayor of the Urban Municipality of Novo mesto, Mr. Boštjan Grobler

Instructions for Keynote Speakers at the Conference

Working Language at the Conference

The Conference will be held in English language. Interpreting to other languages is not foreseen.

Presentation of the Key-note Speakers

All the Keynote Speakers are requested to send a written presentation in English language, in the length between 150 and 200 words.

The Slovenian speakers are requested to send their presentations in Slovenian language as well. The presentations should be submitted by 1st March 2017 at the latest to the following e-mail address: natasa.jakopin@novomesto.si.

Submission of the Abstracts

The Abstracts of the presentations should be in English and should comprise between 150 and 200 words. Slovenian speakers are requested to send their abstracts in Slovenian language as well. The abstracts should be submitted by 1st March 2017 at the latest to the following e-mail address: natasa.jakopin@novomesto.si.

ENG: The 4th International Conference “The Ancient Roads” with a specific focus on “The Amber Routes” will take place in Novo Mesto (Slovenia), at the Dolenjski Muzej – Jakcev dom, from April 20th to 22nd 2017.

The 2nd edition of the “Conference Of Towns On The Amber Road” will also take place in the Novo Mesto city at the Higher Education Centre on Friday 21st of April 2017.